A record of wildlife in my garden and various trips to the Warwickshire countryside and occasionally further afield.

Waxwing

"To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour."

From "Auguries of Innocence"

by William Blake

Tuesday, 25 July 2017

Isle of Wight Day 8 - Friday, 7th July: St James' Church and Yarmouth

We were away from the cottage by ten o'clock on the Friday and on the way to Yarmouth stopped off at Afton Down Car Park (just before you arrive in Freshwater). It is usually a super place for butterflies but there were only a few around that morning.

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We were due to catch the ferry from Yarmouth at 2.00 so had plenty of time to look round the town.

We always visit this second-hand bookshop

and the fossil shop close by.

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WW2? planes flying over

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The rest of the family went to look round the harbour area while I visited the church of St James and look what I missed!

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Have only ever seen jellyfish stranded on the beach before so was sad not to have seen it!

What a classy boat!

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Yarmouth is an old settlement - the first record of the town was in AD991 when it was called Ermud meaning the "muddy estuary". The town grew quickly both in size and importance and it become the main port on the island by the 12th century and was the first town to receive a Charter. This meant its residents had certain rights and privileges and were no longer serfs. It became a borough in 1439 and the first mayor was elected in 1440. The town had 2 members of parliament between 1584 and 1832.

In 1377 and 1543 both Yarmouth and Newtown were set on fire by the French. The 16th century raids led Henry VIII to build Yarmouth Castle. In 1200 Yarmouth had two churches - one in the east dedicated to St John the Baptist and one in the market place dedicated to St James. St John's was completely destroyed in the fires of 1377 and St James greatly damaged. St James was repaired but was itself completely destroyed in the French raid of 1543. A new church was erected on the east side of town but was demolished in 1635 as the foundations were so weak.

The present St James's church was built in 1614 and consecrated in 1626. Many improvements were made in 1832/3 and more alterations carried out in the 19th and 20th centuries.

This enamel memorial tablet follows the style of a 15th century Florentine, Della Robbia.

Stained glass

The stained glass behind the high altar depicts our Lord blessing children. It was installed in 1867 by the then Reverend J. Blackburn in memory of his youngest son who died at just 24.

The font made of Caen stone dates from 1873.

The Holmes Chapel

The most noteworthy memorial is the statue of Admiral Sir Robert Holmes - Governor of the Island between 1668 and 1682.

The story behind this statue tells that it was initially intended as a statue of Louis XIV of France. Holmes captured the statue and the sculptor and made him substitute his own head for that of the French king.

Holmes was a brilliant and fearless leader of men who distinguished himself in several encounters with the Dutch. He gave his monarch a cargo of gold captured on an expedition to the coast of Guinea, West Africa. The gold was turned into coins which were named "Guineas". He died in November 1692. He was very wealthy but had never married and he provided for his illegitimate daughter by leaving his estate to his nephew Henry as long as he married Mary, his daughter.

The Allanby Paintings -loaned to the church by the Herepath Trust - were painted n the the 17th century by an unknown artist inspired by the Venetian School.

Sorry photos not very good - the paintings were high above my head and my Olympus does not have a fold out screen that you can angle!

The pulpit is made of Caen stone and replaced a Jacobean oak pulpit in 1873.

I had about half an hour to explore the church and came out with 5 minutes to spare so when I saw this sign I thought

I would explore what looked like a quiet and peaceful place but

as I went to enter someone bellowed "Oi! You can't go there you are trespassing" and then I noticed this sign :(

With a rather red face I muttered an apology and rushed rather rapidly past the workmen on the roof and went to join the others.

Time to cool down with an icecream

By this time it was 12.00 and B (who always wants to get home as soon as possible on the last day) was making noises about trying to catch an earlier ferry i.e. the one at one o'clock :( I thought they would turn us away but they put us in the "standby" lane. While waiting another look round the harbour

Tennyson on the Sea Monster - he had heard all about it from Osborne.

I've since found out a little more about the seat it is called The Yarmouth Gribble seat and was made in 2008 as part of a project to save the pier. Recycled materials such as scrap metal, local newspapers, old bricks and paving slabs were used and it was created by local public artists Eccleston Gorge. The "seats" were made by local residents leaving handprints in the wet concrete. Gribbles are tiny (1-4mm long) marine isopods and they do a lot of damage to wooden structures on the coast (such as piers) as they eat the softer parts of the timber.

Apparently if you peer in the mouth you might be able to see a part of the pier that the Gribble has eaten - no way was Tennyson going to try that!

D and I were keeping our fingers crossed that we wouldn't get on the earlier ferry, as we had a cunning plan to visit Yarmouth Castle (for the first time) which is right next door to the ferry departure point, before the next ferry arrived. They did take some cars from the standby lane and, just as I was heaving a sigh of relief when it looked as though they couldn't possibly get one more vehicle on there, along came a Wightlink man and said there is just room for one small car - off you go :( Rats!!! It took about 5 minutes to manouevre the car into the tiniest space imaginable.

So it was au revoir to the Island :(

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How I wished we were on this ferry heading in the opposite direction on their way to Yarmouth.

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Tennyson waiting for the ferry - he hadn't wanted to leave what is his home either.

Tennyson and Osborne enjoying the sea air and wanting last glimpses of the Island.

Hello to Lymington and the mainland.

So much for getting an earlier ferry and arriving home sooner - return journey took 4.5 hours without stopping! The traffic on the A34 was horrendous - we were in a constant traffic jam from Didcot to the M40! We had to leave the latter early at Gaydon and cut across country as there was a two hour delay due to an accident.

Even Osborne was fed up!

There are so many places we didn't visit on the Isle of Wight this holiday worth going to and I have listed some below although, of course, it depends on your interests as to which would appeal the most.

Osborne House and Carisbrook Castle are "musts" both are superb.

NT Newtown Hall and Nature Reserve are also brilliant. There are several walks you can take there - all good for wildlife.

Sandown Dinosaur Museum (and also the smaller Dinosaur Farm Museum Brook/Chale - on the Military Road).

Godshill - very busy and a bit touristy but very picturesque with a great church and model village

Brighstone and Calbourne (Winkle Street) are pretty villages - good churches although haven't yet been to the one in Calbourne

If it rains, apart from the Dinosaur Museums, the Waltzing Waters near Ryde is great - a 40 minute fountain and water show set to music.

I am sure you have all seen more than enough of the island for now but if you are interested just click on Isle of Wight (under labels) - for some reason there are two but both have posts - you may have to whizz through latest posts first but there are posts on 3 other holidays over there which include visits to Osborne and Carisbrook. Otherwise there may be a label for a particular location.

Reference: Guide book to St James's Church, Yarmouth

*D - photos taken by D with the Canon SX50

One thing we did consider a lot while on holiday was the idea we have had for many years of moving there permanently. I think we are all agreed that we would like to although it is doubtful if it will be this year and there are many considerations to take into account.

What a wonderful time you had, you have seen so many wonderful places and buildings and I've really enjoyed all your posts. Your journey home sounds very tiring and now you have your next visit to look forward to. Thank you for sharing the list of places to visit, everything looks so interesting it will be hard to choose which places to put at the top of the list:)

Just visit places that appeal the most - I definitely think Osborne and Carisbrook and the Needles Old Battery would be top of my list if it was my first visit for a while. Also Newtown Old Hall and NR ad Dinosaur Museum. Then possibly Godshill but I am sure your relative that lives over there will know all the best places and probably many others I haven't thought of!! Just enjoy - so envious you will probably visit before we go again!! :)

I look forward when you are able to go to reading all about it and if I can offer any help or you have any questions please leave a comment or email (email address in my profile).

Another sunny day for you holiday, it's so nice seeing the blue skies.Second-hand bookshop and fossil shop looks good , did you get any books while you were away ?

Love the stained glass windows in the church, did have a quick look for a book on church windows, I was interested to know about the people who made them. Also been reading about the fonts in churches, very important part of a church, as well as the pulpit.

Shame you didn't get to go in the garden, I like the photo of the grave stones with the tree.

What you didn't see means you will just have to go back, and fingers crossed if you move out there you can spend all your time looking round.

Amanda Peters - Thanks so much Amanda. We were really really fortunate with the weather - although it was hot only humid on the one day and with sea breeze it goes much cooler at night :)I was very good book wise - didn't buy one apart from a few church guides in churches I visited.

Fonts can be really interesting especially old ones that can have the most amazing carvings! I really would like to get to some churches in Gloucestershire/Herefordshire as there are some superb fonts in some of them. Some churches/cathedrals do have guide books on their windows with lots of info but then when I get home I can't work out which of my photos of windows ties in with the book info! I need to be more methodical - a problem when most of the time my time in them is limited! Do have one really good book on Stained Glass in general - Shire Library by Roger Rosewell - about £8 which covers history of stained glass. There is a stained glass museum at Ely Cathedral which I would love to visit!!

I've been in the church once before but hadn't realised about the garden! I will know now if I return!

Yes, lots of interesting churches to visit on the island which would make up for not so many NT properties if we moved there!

Thanks so much again for your lovely comment - off now to re-read that stained glass book!! :)

What a wonderful account, RR! I just love Osborne and Tennyson's adventures. And what a fascinating church - but such a shame about the Quiet Garden. I'm wondering what 'Yar' or 'Yare' mean since we have Great Yarmouth not too far away from my Suffolk home. Thank you so much for the list which I shall store away. Other friends had visited Carisbrook Castle this summer. I have only been on the IoW twice, once for tea in Ride (such a fun memory) and the other for a job interview (with overnight B&B, f&c [fish and chips] etc.). I was offered the post but it turned out was not in a position to take it... I'm running incredibly behind since my return from our northern holiday, but thank you so much for your kind comments. I will watch this space with interest - will you be crossing the Solent permanently before too long?!

Caroline Gill - Thanks so much Caroline for your lovely comment. I quite miss taking Osborne and Tennyson out and about now home!

Can't find too much on meaning of "yar" except one website suggests it comes from old English word "earen" meaning gravelly. Will let you know if I find out more. There is a lovely walk you can do along the banks of the river.

What a shame you couldn't take the job! The woman who owned the cottage we stayed in came to the island about 30 years ago for that reason.

It is very difficult to get up to date with people's blogs when you have been away - as I know from experience!!

We would love to move there and it is the only area we all agree on. But there are a few things to take into account i.e. children (now adult) want to move too but would they get jobs especially my son who is in quite a "specialist" career and both our mothers in their 90's are in a nursing home. Admittedly they haven't a clue any more who we are but it does make things more problematic. I think decision time will be next year!! We have lived in this house all our married life so it would be a wrench to leave in one way which is why I personally wouldn't want to move too locally - moving to Isle of Wight would be a new chapter in our lives for us all!

About Me

Welcome to my blog. I have been interested in natural history from an early age and we have tried to create a garden attractive to wildlife. I also enjoy reading, photography, collecting fossils, visiting historic buildings and gardens and supporting Aston Villa. Please feel free to leave a comment and, if you would like to email me, my email address is ciraggedrobinsATgmail.com - remember to replace AT with @. Thank you for visiting.